Eagles Shock Giants Late, Dawkins Number Retired

On Sunday, September 30th, Lincoln Financial Field was the place to be for the NFC East battle between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. The game was shown nationally on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. There was also something special going on; it was the number retirement of former Eagles safety, Brian Dawkins. The Eagles Officially retired Dawkins number 20 in front of a packed crowd inside Head House Plaza. During the ceremony Dawkins said to the crowd at Head House Plaza, “I will always be an Eagle in my heart and I will always, always look to represent this organization to the best of my abilities.” After the unveiling of the number 20 jersey, Eagles Owner Jeff Lurie said to the Eagles fans inside Head House Plaza, “Let’s go crush the Giants.”

Once the fans entered Lincoln Financial Field, the Giants and Eagles players were introduced. As NBC Sunday Night Football went on the air, they introduced Brian Dawkins for the final time. He came out and did his famous intro that he did with the Eagles for 13 years and it got the crowd more hyped up for the game. The game got off to a slow start, and both the Eagles and Giants played to a scoreless first quarter. The scoring did not start until two minutes left in the first half with Michael Vick threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeSean Jackson. However, the Giants would respond with a field goal. At the half, it was Eagles 7, Giants 3. The Eagles Honored Brian Dawkins at Halftime with a video tribute and he Spoke to the crowd. Dawkins thanked Jim Johnson and the fans for letting him be himself and said, “I can retire now because I know I left everything I got on this field.” Dawkins asked the Eagles fans to sing the Eagles fight song with him and it was a sight to see.

In the second half of the game there was a lot of drama. The Eagles took the opening drive of the third quarter down to the one yard line, but could not punch it in. The Giants scored two touchdowns from Victor Cruz & Bear Pascoe. Eagles Kicker Alex Henry Kicked four field Goals. Then the drama started. Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes had a field goal opportunity from 54 yards out to win the game for the Giants, but missed it. Eagles Coach Andy Reid had called timeout to ice Tynes, inadvertently giving him another shot. On the second attempt, the kick fell short and the Eagles held on to win, 19-17. it was a great night to be a Lincoln Financial Field, especially with Brian Dawkins number being retired. Being at the game with close friends…even better.